Splurge

[lightweight]

I know there have been a lot of these questions lately but I am slightly OCD so please bear with me
We have decided to splurge last two nights at a Disney hotel. Have rated at pp and love it. Disneyland has the awesome refurb and pool area for an extra 100/night and gch is gch. Our kids are 4 and 6 and not strong swimmers and lots of time in park but some at hotel. We are perfectly happy anywhere...pp we save money, Disney we get nice new place and gch is gorgeous. Thoughts for our splurge??? Worth the extra money for dl/gch???

 

[SplashMo]

You will enjoy any of them. I would stay at GCH if it was for two days.

 

[mad hatter fan]

We are doing this same thing. Access to the EE for hotel guests is what caused us to splurge. Between Anaheim and San Diego and vising family two days, we have two weeks. We chose the DLH because we really enjoyed it before (when it was cheaper, LOL!) and we want to try the refurbed rooms and enjoy the new pool and slides. We will be spending lots of time enjoying the hotel those days, something we don't usually do.

Personally, the PP hotel doesn't do anything for me and so we won't stay there without an awsome price. The Grand's style and darker woods isn't something I am fond of either but we may try it some day for the closeness.

You'll have a great time no mater your choice!

 

[Eclectic Goddess]

Another vote for Grand Californian. Excellent park access, great pool areas (even for not-strong swimmers) and a very high level of service.

We think it's worth the extra money. You'll hear a whole list of pros, but for us, it's because staying on-site means that you never really have to leave Disneyland. The magic doesn't end when you go back to your room at night, and it's ready and waiting for you when you wake up in the morning.

 

[gardengirl2790]

We have stayed at all 3 Resort hotels, and now we always stay at the GCH. I ditto what Eclectic Goddess had to say about it and how staying on site keeps you in the magic and fantasy for your entire stay.

 

[bumbershoot]

Our kids are 4 and 6 and not strong swimmers

Then I would stay at PPH. Their slide allows kids who aren't swimmers to go, as it doesn't empty into the pool. Since you can't wear swim vests, and you can't have an adult wait at the bottom of the slide at DLH and the Grand, I wouldn't let a child go on their slides, and I haven't, when DS was not a strong swimmer. Just not safe.


Then again, we love the PPH, and the Grand is our *least* fave hotel at Disneyland (OK maybe I like the Carousel less than the Grand, but its value is higher b/c the cost is so cheap), so it's not a hardship for us to stay at the Pier.

 

[DisneyMomma81]

Having stayed at all 3 DLR hotels my fave is DLH! It's so Disney! We've always had a great view, have always *3 visits to the DLH so far* stayed in what was the Dream tower; great DTD and pool views, I've aways paid standard and requested *not expected* the Dreams tower, DD's B-day trip was awesome, just the 2 of us, we checked in late - we got a Club level room, just 1 Q bed *which was fine, it was one of the 1st refurbished rooms in 2010! I love the lobby and grounds of the Grand *which anyone can visit/enjoy* however I found our room dark and it *seemed* dingy. It's been a while since we stayed @ PP - it was nice enough and if your kids will want to slide, that's the pool for them.

 

[lightweight]

If we were to consider DLH, does the blue monorail slide go into shallow water so they could at least use that or is it out of the question?

 

[TeddiBarra]

I would go with DLH. First, never STAYED at the Grand, but that changes next month! However, have been in and shopped and dined there.

I think that if $ isn't an issue, I'd try the DLH out and see how you like it post refurb. The kids will like the play area- there area smaller slides (non monorail ones) and splash area, and yes the lower monorail slide (don't remember if it was red or blue) does NOT empty into the pool, but ends just like the one at the PP hotel- no swimming needed. Also, nice to have a better/more choices of food that the DLH has than the PP in case you end up spending more time at the pool area (great bar, tangaroa terrace and goofy's).

The Grand will always be the first choice of the feet, but I think that it would be worth trying the DLH out and I don't think you can miss with the kids.

 

[Jkpark]

I opted for DLH this time, mainly to try out the pool and slides. Kids are also 4 and 6 (although they are pretty good swimmers). They will probably be disappointed as they love the beach ball pillows and Surf's Up with Mickey at PP... I tried to do some research on the slides (googled monorail slide review, looked for pics, watched them on you tube) and it looks like the blue monorail slide will be okay (and they do have an even smaller slide somewhere in the pool area if the kids need to work up to the bigger slides)

 

[kailuagirl]

The pool at the GCH does (well it did when we were there in Dec.) have swim vests for the kids. The waterslide was fun, my daughter 4 1/2 loved it. I've always wanted to stay at DLH, but DH likes GCH, not that I'm complaining, but I agree, the rooms at GCH are just ok, bed's are wonderful, hotel itself is super fab, off the charts in my book, but I love the look of the rooms at the DLH. I'd go with either DLH or GCH and I don't think you'd be disappointed at all

Have fun

 

[DiggleBelle]

If we were to consider DLH, does the blue monorail slide go into shallow water so they could at least use that or is it out of the question?

From my experience your kids can use and would love the DLH slides.

I stayed at both the DLH and GCH last month with my 3yr old niece.

At DLH she loved the middle sized waterslide. The small slide and the middle sized slide both have landing areas in shallow water and step out into the zero entry pool. The highest slde lands in a totally different pool.

They let my niece wear the life jacket and they also let us stand at the bottom, to the side. I have read several times since we got home that this is not allowed so not sure if it depends on the lifeguard or if it was because it was not very busy at the pool. We did this multiple days.

We were also allowed to do it at the GCH where the big water slide empties into a deeper pool. I waited by the ladder but inside the rope with the OK of the lifeguard on duty.

As far as the hotels go the GCH was lovely and the entrance to DCA can't be beat but overall we enjoyed the DLH more.

 

[Happy 2 B Me]

Then I would stay at PPH. Their slide allows kids who aren't swimmers to go, as it doesn't empty into the pool. Since you can't wear swim vests, and you can't have an adult wait at the bottom of the slide at DLH and the Grand, I wouldn't let a child go on their slides, and I haven't, when DS was not a strong swimmer. Just not safe.


Then again, we love the PPH, and the Grand is our *least* fave hotel at Disneyland (OK maybe I like the Carousel less than the Grand, but its value is higher b/c the cost is so cheap), so it's not a hardship for us to stay at the Pier.

Wow Thank You Bumper. Grandkids are taking lessons but even going in Oct may not be strong enough swimmers to go down slide with out proper help at bottom. I am so happy we booked at the PP. I have to say I realy like this resort better then DLH. I have never stayed at GC so have no judgement on that one.

I sure fell blessed to have a reservation at the PP as I know the grandkids would have been so dissapointed if they could not so the slides. 8 year old even did the "toilet bowl" at Great Wolf and did fine with his dad going along. the 4 year old at the time did all the slides except for the two that go outside of Great Wolf water park. ( Lilly would rather go to Great Wolf then DL--This can not be my grand daughter--LOL)

 

[lightweight]

Thanks so much for all of the great insight. Everyone seems to have different ideas but I think I am now leaning towards DLH. If we do stay there, that splurge will replace our great wolf lodge summer trip but we go to the one in Niagara a few times a year as we are just over an hour away.